As exams draw to an end for both GCSE and A Levels students it is a time to reflect on their schooling and to look forward to the next steps. Teenagers follow different paths and what suits one may not suit another, some will relish a traditional academic route with others looking for newer courses including those looking at emerging technology. Chloe always knew that she wanted to go to University and for her, it was just a choice of choosing the right course in the right place. I wrote about a teenager starting university and have shared much of her fresher year online – well the bits I know about!!
If ever a teen was made for University life it was Chloe, not once did I worry about her ability to get involved in uni life and make the most of it. She has had a brilliant year and joined the 1st 11 hockey team and next year is even taking up a committee role. Yet my 15-year-old doesn’t know if University is for him. And that is fine too – he will do A Levels after GCSE’s but we will then explore all options including modern apprenticeships, uni course, colleges that explore emerging technology, and full-time work.
There are now more options for our teenagers and I welcome that. I have sat teaching young people who do not want to be in formal education and believe me it is hard! Imagine studying Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet with a 15-year-old boy who dislikes reading, imagine teaching war poetry to the child who has no interest in rhyming couplets and iambic pentameter. It is a hard slog!
Emerging Technology: Where can it take your teenager?
In a first for the West Midlands, South and City College Birmingham (SCCB) has launched an innovative array of new emerging technology courses, having rebranded its Digbeth campus as a centre for emerging technologies. Many young people will work in jobs that we cannot even imagine yet! We need to prepare young people for a world that is fast moving and fast emerging.
The courses are designed to help businesses meet their growing digital skills needs, as the UK faces a growing digital skills shortage.
SCCB is one of only a few colleges nationwide offering such forward-thinking courses, the courses include:
Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (Introduction course and Level 2)
Computer Science incorporating AI and Robotics (Level 1)
Graphics, Photography and Drone Technology (Level 2 and 3)
eSports Business, Industry and Tourism (Level 3)
Forensic Accounting (Level 3)
Fashion Design and Garment Technology (Level 3)
Cisco Essentials (Level 3)
Kaussar Bashir, Deputy Head of Faculty of South and City College Birmingham said, “With the UK economy set to forfeit as much as £145 billion in the next 10 years because of digital skills shortages*, businesses are desperate for digitally savvy graduates.
“Being such an important growth area, we’re thrilled to be able to offer such a compelling range of courses that not only piques student interests, but that also sets them up for future employment.”
South and City College Birmingham encourages prospective students to join the digital revolution by starting one of their new emerging technology courses this September. Simply visit SCCB for more information or to apply.
These courses offer many opportunities and when the time comes I will encourage Dylan to look at courses he has never heard of, let alone considered. As a parent I want my children to find careers that excite them. I think many of us, going forward, will have portfolio careers, I am on my second career now and as we live and work for longer I think this will become more commonplace.
Continuing Education post 17 does not need to follow old routes, find out what inspires and motivates your young person and help them review all the options, you never know it might even inspire you to make a career change too!
One Response
Wow! I can’t believe that there are courses like that! The world is really becoming very techy!